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A Cape Coral resident was recently named the recipient of the Harmony Inc's Youth Member of the Year Award at an international contest.
"I was really shocked, but really happy," Katie Dodson said. "The organization means so much to me. It helped me find my voice. I was so happy."
Harmony Inc. is a women's cappella barbershop organization.
"I have been a part of that organization for six years. By their qualifications, I am barely a youth member. I am 25 and received the recognition," she said.
Dodson found the organization when she was 19 on meetup.com.
"I always loved to sing. I really needed a community and I found them," she said.
The organization has helped her grow as an individual from a very shy and timid young lady to someone a little more outgoing.
"They welcomed me immediately and I stuck with it ever since," she said.
As a recipient of this award, Dodson is honored for her service and commitment to her local chapter, area and Harmony Inc. She is a member of Coastal Voices Chorus and Unaccompanied Minors, which is composed of treble voice singers ages 25 and under.
Dodson sings bass as part of Astro Notes Quartet, who performed during the 2025 Harmony Inc. International Contest and received the Audience Entertainment and Harmony's Future Awards.
"Katie is the kind of member every chorus hopes for -- always willing to help, quick to welcome newcomers, and dedicated to sharing her talents in service of others," Lindsay Fontana, vice president, Unaccompanied Minors Chorus said in a prepared statement. "She not only contributes musically, but also brings kindness, patience, and encouragement to younger singers."
Dodson was an active participant in a Youth Round Table with Harmony Inc. International President Gaye LaCasce and Director of Philanthropy Anne Bureau, whose work led to the formation of the Youth Taskforce, which she sits on.
The love of singing has always been there.
Dodson said she loves the effort the group puts into the arrangements of the music, which is shared with others through performances.
"Getting to share the genre of music - an old style of American music - people are always surprised," she said. "I love the old classic arrangements, the harmonies, I love it."